We are thrilled to introduce you to some of our HSBBCN team of #HomeStartHeroes, who will be running the Oxford Half Marathon on Sunday 13th October 2024 and kindly raising money for us.
Gary
I started running in January 2024, hoping to get healthier and fitter. Since then, I have run two half marathons and plan to run the Milton Keynes marathon in 2025.
Norbar announced that Home-Start were looking for volunteers to run the Oxford Half on their behalf and raise money for their charity, and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to do what I love doing while helping out a worthy local cause.
The photo of me above is at the Kenilworth Half Marathon on 8th September 2024. This formed part of my training plan for the Oxford half. Oxford is where I aim to get a sub-1:40 time. It’s a very ambitious target, but you never know, haha.
If you’d like to donate to Gary and support him you please use the link here or the QR code above.
Michael
I’m Mike, I live with my wife (Claire), of 12 years and our two dogs, Ben and Koda, in the village of Hook Norton. I took up running after finishing my football career in 2016, just to keep up my fitness. Later that year I ran my first Half marathon at Silverstone race track. After this I moved more into triathlon and have completed many of these at various distances including two Half Ironman’s in 2019 (Staffordshire) and 2021 (Weymouth). Sadly after completing the latter I injured my shoulder, but after a prolonged period or Rehab, I began running again in late 2023, and have completed the Stratford Half Marathon, The Autumn Wolf Run and in May this year completed the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon, in 2024.
Oxford will be my fifth Half Marathon, and is one I have always wanted to run being so local. After speaking with colleagues who have taken part in previous years and run for the charity HSBBCN last year, and that my work (Norbar Torque Tools) supports I decided that I would like to raise some money to help families in the local area, especially during this difficult time when help and support is most needed.
If you’d like to donate to Mike and support him you please use the link here or the QR code above.
Emily
Returning to run the Oxford Half after last years success is the lovely Emily. We can all appreciate how hard it can be at times raising children a family and working full or part time to support them. Not everyone has the support of a close nit family and friends to help them and Home-Start can offer this support assisting you with some of the stresses and daily pressures life can throw at you during this time. I am running the Oxford Half to raise money for Home-Start and would be so grateful for your support. Thank you
If you’d like to support Emily please click here.
Ben
I am running this event on behalf of my workplace. They are trying to raise money for Home-Start. A charity which endeavour to enable children who wouldn’t otherwise be able to, have the best possible start in life.
If you’d like to support Ben please click here.
Emily D
This year I am taking part in the Oxford Half Marathon for the first time to raise money for Home-Start Banbury, Bicester and Chipping Norton. They are a fantastic charity doing such valuable work to support vulnerable families with young children, providing them with emotional and practical support when they need it most.
Am really excited to be taking part in this event as I’ve heard it’s great fun and I’m doing my best to get in as much training as possible between now and the day! I would be so grateful for any donation you are able to make to help this brilliant bunch of people continue with their amazing work.
If you’d like to support Emily please click here.